The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-02-23

Mountain, entirely beyond the sight of the
enemy. This movement must have been
commenced in the morning. as the way was
long. and much skill and patience were
necessary to keep the moving columns
screened by the woods and other covers
from discovery by the enemy.
We have it from the other side that this
movement was not even suspected; and
that an enemy descending from the clouds
would not have created more panic than
did Cooks men coming in upon their left
and rear.
All this, however, was beyond my sight
and knowledge at the time. What l did
see was the magnificent attack of the Sixth
and Nineteenth Corps, as they scaled the
hill in front.
The thing came with the most surprising
suddenness; it was all over in an hour or
less, the enemy routed out OF their posi-
ton, losing sixteen cannon, eleven hun
dred prisoners, and retreating in disorder
up the Valley.
There was hardly daylight enough to fin
ish it in when it began.
The sun was down, certainly, when the
first gun was fired.
Sheridan had waited till the first shots of
the Eigth Corps, far around on tho right,
were heard, and then launched both the
other corps directly at the hill.
There was large earthwork back of the
town, which was built by General Banks
in 1862. The heaviest of our artillery had
been placed in it, and the opening of the
battle of Fishers Hill, as l saw it, was
announced by the discharge of one of
these great guns. A shell flew over Stras-
burg, bursting on the hill; and instantly q
dozen or more large cannon joined in the
~ Att 10 I'D.
and as the shells with burning fuses darted
through the twilight air, the effect was in
the highest degree picturesque and exciting
This opening chorus had not ceased
when we heard repeated cheers beyond the
town. Up from the hollow. dashipg right
at the hill, went line after line of blue clad
men. Not less than ten thousand infantry,
with bayonets fixed, were moving up its
steep side, now in plain view, now hidden
by trees, but charging straight on. Fire
dotted the heights as the enemy opened
with their muskeiry; we heard yells, cheers,
and renewed peals from the large guns;
and then the swelling chorus of prolonged
cheering told us that another victory had
been gained.
In less than half an hour we received or
ders to follow the army instantly, and rejoin
our corps as soon as we could.
We we're speedily on the move. After
the cavalry, the Nineteenth Corps had the
advance; and there was nothing either
glorious or delightful about the time we
had in overtakng it. The road up Fishers
Hill was filled with moving infantry and
artillery, all pressing along in the pursuit.
All was confusion, exultation, and 90; no.
body seemed to know what the orders were,
except that We were to keep after the enemy.
1t was fortunate for them that the darkness
of the night shielded their movements; and
though the pursuit by the infantry was
kept up till almost daylight. it was impos-
sible to overtake the scattered fragments.
In several instances squads of the fugitves,
ambushed behind stone walls, fired on their
pursuers. Our cavalry was at this time
over in one of the parallel valleys, trying
to force passage through, so as to cut off
the retreating Confederates higher up, but
in this they failed.
At Woodstock we were permitted to rest
from about four o'clock in the morning to
ten. Then up and on again, for an exciting
days work. Sharply following up the re-
treating enemy, we skirmished with them
along miles of the way. Their army
seemed to be resolved into long skirmish-
line, which held one stone wall after an
other, till the weight of our attack forced it
off.
O, the fatigues and discomforts of those
flying marches-who that was there can
ever forget them. Who can forget the
glory, the sorrow over lost comrades, the
strength of heart that came to us with our
great experience. What comrade can ever
forget "the days when we went soldering"